He wrote that Simon confronted the singer 'in a voice that combined derision, snobbishness, concern, and alarm . . . 'Karen, what are you doing? This stuff is awful!' Page Six reports.

Paul Simon's (pictured in Queens on June 30) former producer has launched a scathing attack on the singer, branding him a 'p***k' and claiming he bullied a severely anorexic Karen Carpenter, in his new book

This was the first solo project for Carpenter, who was battling severe anorexia, without her brother Richard.

Berger agreed the disco tracks were terrible but said that Simon's 'insensitivity was stunning.'

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'Karen never released that album during her lifetime,' the book says. 'Within a few short years, she was dead.'

Berger, who worked with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan before leaving the music industry to become a psychotherapist, added that Simon had an incredible ego.

The former producer claims that he has a recording where Simon can be heard saying he wanted his solo hit to be bigger than Simon and Garfunkel's biggest track Bridge Over Troubled Water.

In his new book, Never Say No to a Rock Star, Berger refers to one incident where he claims Simon cruelly criticized a seriously ill Karen Carpenter's work (pictured right, in 1977)

He wrote that Simon confronted the singer 'in a voice that combined derision, snobbishness, concern, and alarm . . . 'Karen, what are you doing? This stuff is awful!'

'He [Simon] pauses for a giggle, then adds, 'I used to have a partner named Art Garfunkel, and this would mean so much to me if I could just show . . . that it was, it was all me!' '

Garfunkel and Simon's stormy relationship has been well documented for decades.

They split in 1970 after becoming embroiled in a bitter argument following the release of their seminal album Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Last year, Garfunkel made another jibe in his former bandmate's direction.

Describing the other half of his legendary musical duo, the 74-year-old has said his kindness towards Simon 'created a monster'.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, the artist said: ‘I don’t want to say any anti Paul Simon things, but it seems very perverse to not enjoy the glory and walk away.’

He added: ‘How can you walk away from this lucky place on top of the world, Paul? What’s going on with you, you idiot?’

When asked whether 5ft 3in Simon had might have a Napoleon complex, Garfunkel replied: 'I think you’re on to something. I would say so, yes.'

He said that he took pity on his friend for being teased for his height and started being kind towards him as 'compensation'.

Sixties icons: Paul with former partner Art Garfunkel in a publicity shot in New York City from 1966. The duo became one of the defining sounds of the decade before falling out, and remain estranged

Garfunkel (right) said he was kind to his friend when they were at school because he was teased for being short

Simon and Garfunkel split in 1970 and reconciled in 2004 to take part in a lucrative reunion tour (above in Hyde Park)

'And that compensation gesture has created a monster. End of interview.'

Simon and Garfunkel met at junior school in New York. The pair started trying to secure a record deal as teenagers and in the early 1960s released an unsuccessful debut album.

One song on the album, The Sounds of Silence, was reworked and became an instant hit.

There followed a lengthy career which produced classic records including Bridge Over Troubled Water and Mrs Robinson.

They split in 1970 but reunited in 2004 and embarked on a lucrative reunion tour. In 2010 they were due to perform more shows when Garfunkel suffered damage to his vocal chords.

In a 2014 interview he said Simon offered little in the way of moral support when the show dates were cancelled.

'He wasn't particularly (supportive). But no, I’m not upset. I’m used to the fact that we’re just different characters.’

But it appears the touring will soon be over for Simon who announced last week he is ready to give up writing and performing after six decades in the spotlight.

The singer-songwriter, 74, told The New York Times on Tuesday that he is 'coming towards the end' of his iconic career and is planning to retire and travel after a European tour this autumn.

In Never Say No to a Rock Star (left) former producer Glen Berger (right) brands Simon a 'p***k'

Simon (pictured in New Orleans in April) announced last week he is ready to give up writing and performing after six decades in the spotlight

'Showbiz doesn't hold any interest for me,' he said. 'None.'

'It's an act of courage to let go,' he said. 'I am going to see what happens if I let go.'

'Then I'm going to see, who am I? Or am I just this person that was defined by what I did? And if that's gone, if you have to make up yourself, who are you?... I don’t have any fear of it.'

The Mrs Robinson singer said that at the age of 74, touring and performing is a strain. He often needs 15 hours of sleep, his voice needs frequent rest and his eyesight is deteriorating, he toldThe New York Times.

He then went on to write his hit 1986 album Graceland, which drew on South African musical influences during apartheid, revived his career and won a Grammy for Album of The Year.

The Still Crazy After All These Years singer will be 75 when his European tour wraps up this fall, and he then plans to travel for a year. His wife, musician Edie Brickell, 50, will accompany him depending on her work schedule, he said.

The duo recently paired up with comedian Steve Martin to launch Broadway musical Bright Star, but it failed to draw audiences and it closed over the weekend.

The couple wed in 1992 and have three children: Gabriel, Adrian and Lulu.

Paul was also previously married to Peggy Harper, but they divorced in 1975 and they share a son, Harper. He was also wed to actor-writer Carrie Fisher for a year, before they divorced in 1984.